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Peru is a first-class holiday destination and deserves to be visited from first-class luxury hotels. Happily there is now an excellent choice and this holiday includes some of the best hotels in the country, many operating in prestigious the Belmond (formerly Orient Express) portfolio. from where you will take comfortable private excursions and have the opportunity to choose from a menu of top-quality restaurants. Visit Imperial Lima and colonial Cusco at the heart of the Inca empire and travel on the luxury Belmond Hiram Bingham train to the mountain-top citadel of Machu Picchu, where you'll spend the night at Belmond Palacio Nazarenas.

Embark the luxury yacht Aria Amazon, an exclusive, contemporary and very service-oriented vessel the design of which was inspired by the traditional Amazon river boat. From the deck and your air-conditioned cabin, you can enjoy jungle views, and there are guided wildlife excursions into the Amazon jungle.

Holiday itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Lima and transfer to hotel on the Pacific coast in Miraflores.

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What our experts say

This is the perfect holiday for somebody who wants to experience Peru in style. We’ve selected the most exclusive Belmond properties and included a cruise along the Amazon’s waterways aboard a luxury yacht - a supremely comfortable and stylish rainforest experience.

Places visited on this holiday

Luxury Peru: Andes to Amazon

Lima

A city as huge and dynamic as Lima, City of Kings, is bound to offer something of interest to all visitors. Lovers of architecture and history will thrill to the monumental cathedral and Presidential Palace in the Plaza de Armas, and colonial wooden balconies overhanging atmospheric lanes in the spruced-up centre. But out on the Pacific coast are the smart, modern middle-class suburbs of Miraflores and Barranco, brimming with sophisticated restaurants, boutiques and live music. The traffic is horrendous, but the city has some of the Spanish Empire’s best museums; it’s well worth crossing town to find them.

When to go

A cold Pacific current puts the kibosh on the tropical climate you might expect and a chilly mist hovers over the city May-Nov. But as this is the best time to visit the Andes, you may have to visit Lima at this time. In the southern summer the sun breaks through, happy limeños spill out onto the pavement bars, ice cream parlours and beaches.

Language

Spanish.

Getting local currency

Peruvian Nuevo Sol. Notes in local currency or US dollars can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. Numerous money exchange offices exchange US dollars cash (few accept euros or sterling and the rate may be poor).

Time difference

GMT -5 hours.

Combines with

The pre-Columbian adobe ruins of a ceremonial centre at Pachacamac in the desert just 31 km south of Lima; Paracas National Park, 214 km (3-4 hours’ drive) down the coast, for the Ballestas Islands “mini-Galápagos” Nature Reserve; the Moche pyramids at Chan Chan, near Trujillo, 561 km (8 hours on the Pan American Highway or 1 hour by air); Cajamarca, charming Andean colonial town, 856km, (12 hours by scenic road or 90 mins by air).

Flight time from UK

Average flight time to Lima is 12.5 hours. There is a direct flight from London Gatwick to Lima. Popular non-direct routes to Lima involve a change of plane in Amsterdam, Paris or Madrid.

Key events

Gran Serenata: Live music in the Plaza de Armas on 17 Jan to celebrate the city’s foundation.
Semana Santa,Easter. Many religious processions.
Peru Art Week: Annually in May. Museums, art galleries and open air exhibitions in Barranco, Miraflores and San Isidro welcome visitors. Independence Day (Fiestas Patrias): 28 Jul annually: celebrated in plazas and parks throughout the city centre, with music and fireworks in the main plaza the evening before. On the final day a Great Military Parade takes place on either Avenida Brasil or Avenida De La Peruanidad.
Corpus Christi: Jun. Statues of the Virgin Mary and saints have a day out from their churches and are paraded to the Cathedral.

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Cusco

High in a fertile mountain valley at 3,399m and surrounded by the lofty ice peaks of the Andes, the former capital of the Inca Empire and Spanish colonial masterpiece, Cusco, was cut off from the rest of the world until about 100 years ago. Now it is recognised as one of the most enticing, unspoilt cities on the continent. The history running through its veins is exposed in the meticulous masonry of the Inca temples, the baroque intricacy of its golden churches and palaces and the lively markets, fiestas, art galleries, boutique hotels and gourmet restaurants of the present day city. Here you can immerse yourself totally in Peru’s rich cultural mix.

When to go

Cusco can be visited throughout the year. Most visitors will use climate as a criterion but others may be attracted by any one of numerous fiestas: Inti Raymi, Easter, Corpus Christi, Christmas. The dry season when sunny days can be expected runs May-Oct but in Jun-Jul it can be below freezing at night. Rain falls Jan-Mar.

Language

Spanish.

Getting local currency

Peruvian Nuevo Sol. Notes in local currency or US dollars can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. Numerous money exchanges (casas de cambio) change US dollars cash (few accept euros or sterling and the rate may be poor).

Time difference

GMT -5 hours.

Combines with

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, 53 km by road; Machu Picchu, 75km by road and rail; Tambopata and the lodges of the southern Amazon, 1 hour by air; Lake Titicaca, 6-9 hours by road or 10 hours by train; Colca Canyon, 236km by road.

Getting there

Flights to Cusco from Lima take 1 hour.

Key events

Inti Raymi: 24 Jun. Inca festival of the winter solstice celebrated at the temple of Sacsayhuamán.

Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the Incas was both the Inca civilisation’s breadbasket and its spiritual home. Nowadays, its appeal is not just the fast-flowing, broom-lined River Urubamba, rushing relentlessly towards the Amazon basin. Nor the parade of spiky snow-stifled peaks alongside; nor the adobe colonial villages, nor the monumental ruined Inca cities and temples. Nor the earthy quilt of sunlit fields bursting with maize, fruit, flowers and vegetables. It’s the combination of all these which makes the Sacred Valley such a unique and gorgeous place for visitors. Now peppered with hotels from family hostels to first class boutique hotels, it’s increasingly a place to linger for a few days; lower in altitude than Cusco, 3,399m, and conveniently en route to Machu Picchu, 2,430m.

When to go

The Sacred Valley can be visited throughout the year. The dry season, when sunny days can be expected, runs May-Oct. Travel in Apr-Jun and you’ll find the l fields full of ripening produce.

Language

Spanish and Quechua.

Getting local currency

Peruvian Nuevo Sol. US dollars can be exchanged for local currency in a couple of small shops in Ollantaytambo and Pisac but you are better off using an ATM in Cusco or at the airport before heading into the valley.

Time difference

GMT -5 hours.

Combines with

Cusco, 53 km by road; Machu Picchu, 23km by rail; Tambopata and the lodges of the southern Amazon, 1 hour by air from Cusco; Lake Titicaca, 6-9 hours by road or 10 hours by train from Cusco; Colca Canyon, 280km by road.

Getting there

Flights to Cusco from Lima take one hour.

Key events

Semana Santa, Easter. Processions and other celebrations in towns and villages.

Carnival: Feb/Mar. Celebrations start in Pisac 7 weeks before Easter Sunday with competing dance groups and continue in local villages.

Reyes Magos: 6 Jan in Ollantaytambo. Commemorates the Three Wise Men, with statues of poncho-clad Jesus brought down from the mountains. A fair, bull-fighting and dancing.

Señor de Choquekillca: Variable, 50 days after Easter Sunday; but spreading over 4 days. Ollantaytambo celebrates its patron saint’s day with dances, processions, masses, a cockfight and bullfight.

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Machu Picchu

So remote that it was discovered by Hiram Bingham only 100-odd years ago, Machu Picchu is now disarmingly accessible. The journey there by road and rail through an ever-tightening river gorge is all part of an amazing experience of multiple sensations. Everyone is familiar with the dramatic shot of the citadel, astride a series of man-hewn terraces carved into a rainforest-clad mountain saddle at 2,430m in the Andean foothills. A visit never disappoints: the steep stone staircases, bridges, temples, houses and palaces are easy to explore, and beg to be photographed.

When to go

Machu Picchu can be visited throughout the year. With its humid climate, the city can be shrouded in mist at any time, but you’d be unlucky if the sun didn’t shine at some time during your visit. Most rain falls Dec-Mar.

Language

Spanish.

Getting local currency

Peruvian Nuevo Sol. There are no banks in the village and exchange rates for cash are poor. Obtain notes in advance in local currency or US dollars from the many ATMs in Cusco or at airports, using a UK credit or debit card.

Time difference

GMT -5 hours.

Combines with

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, 23 km by rail; Cusco, 75 km by road and rail; Tambopata and the lodges of the southern Amazon, 1 hour by air from Cusco; Lake Titicaca, 6-9 hours by road or 10 hours by train from Cusco.

Getting there

Flights to Cusco from Lima take one hour; from there it’s a 4 hour land journey to the site.

Key events

Cruz Velacuy: variable dates in May or Jun in Machu Picchu village. The community decorates the cross of its church and prepares it for its procession to churches in neighbouring villages. This celebration held in gratitude to pre-Columbian gods for bountiful harvests, also serves as a setting for folklore shows.

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The Peruvian Amazon (north)

The Amazonian rainforest occupies 60% of Peru. A mostly untouched region of primary jungle, it’s a true wilderness, but parts are surprisingly accessible to visitors, just an hour’s flight from Cusco, or two from Lima. There may not be much human society but the forest is heaving with wildlife, mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects and adorned with gorgeous tropical flowers and fruits, from orchids to mangoes.

The northern region of the Peruvian Amazon is much further downstream than the southern region which embraces some of the tributary rivers which flow into what will eventually become the Amazon as it flows through Brazil beyond Manaus. The northern river, accessible from the port of Iquitos, with flood plains and wide tributaries, is populated by enchanting wildlife including otters and more sociable dolphins and its shores are variously pristine and uninhabited or peppered with occasional villages and farmsteads. These settlements are outside protected areas such as Pacaya Samiria where manatees, pink dolphins, turtles and monkeys abound. The region is perhaps best explored from a river cruise, where you can make forays into the many creeks and tributaries to discover wildlife and luxuriant flora.

When to go

The high water season runs from December through May. It is hot in the Amazon any time of year. During the high water season the average temperature is over 30°C.

The high level of the rivers means that every river, creek and lake is navigable. You will get to explore more of the waterways of Amazonia, and will have access to plant life and wildlife area that you might miss during the low water season You are likely to see many more mammals, both monkeys and others, during the high water season.

The low water season runs from June to November). Trails and jungle paths that are flooded from December to May are now easily accessible, allowing you to explore deep in the jungle (accompanied by fewer mosquitoes than during the high water season).

Language

Spanish.

Getting local currency

Peruvian Nuevo Sol. There are banks and ATMs in Iquitos where notes in local currency or US dollars can be withdrawn using a UK credit or debit card. Several money exchange offices exchange US dollars cash but the rate may be poor).

Time difference

GMT -5 hours.

Combines with

Lima (1 hr 15 minutes by air to Iquitos).

Getting there

From Lima to Iquitos a flight takes 1 hour 15 mins.

Things to do on this holiday

Explore Chinchero, Maras and Moray

Visit Sacsayhuaman Inca fortress

Spot wildlife in the Peruvian Amazon

Explore Sacred Valley of the Incas

Visit the Larco Museum

Guided tour of Machu Picchu

Travel by train to Machu Picchu

Luxury Peruvian Amazon cruise

While Cusco was the Inca capital, the Sacred Valley below was the agricultural and commercial engine driving the ancient empire. Whether on a walking, horseriding or cycling tour or exploring by road, you'll see the culture left behind by the Incas as well as the continuing use of ancient methods of farming and extracting salt.

Visit Chinchero, a colourful indigenous village which hosts a lively Sunday market. Not far away is the colonial village Maras, where a cascade of salt pans covers the hillside, spectacularly reflecting the strong Andean sun in a multitude of watery mirrors. A short walk, bike or drive away is the fascinating Inca site of Moray, where the ancients experimented with farming techniques that still seem innovative to this day. The site resembles an amphitheatre of terraced levels of farmland, each providing its own microclimate and soil system to suit different crops.

It is said that Cusco was designed in the shape of a puma, with Sacsayhuamán as its head. The symbolism would be apt, since archaeologists believe this imposing fortress doubled as a ceremonial centre of supreme importance to the ancient Incas. Proving that it continues to be at the centre of Cusco’s traditions and heritage, modern-day Peruvians celebrate the Inca festival of Inti Raymi here in the shadow of its solid stone walls.

A visit to the impressive ruin is often combined with the nearby temple of Q’enqo, the ancient military complex of Puca Pucara and the ‘Inca Baths’ at Tambomachay.

There's never a shortage of magical moments on a trip into the Amazon, but often the greatest thrill of all is catching sight of an exotic creature in amongst the dense and lustrous vegetation.

Whether it’s the bedazzling rainbow plumage of a flock of parrots blazing across the sky, a hundred beady reptilian eyes returning your gaze on the surface of a jungle lake, or a mischievous troupe of spider monkeys leaping acrobatically between tree branches, snatched scenes of wildlife at rest and play paint a vivid picture of the inner life of the world’s largest rainforest. Even when you can’t see it, the diverse fauna all around you will be sure to make its presence felt in a cacophony of bird song, insect sounds and echoing monkey calls.

From a lodge tucked within the jungle wilderness – or a river boat cruising the Amazon's steamy waterways – you will head out both on foot and on water in search of animal sightings. Typical wildlife-spotting excursions include sunrise boat journeys, piranha fishing, walking safaris by day and night, kayaking, and perhaps a visit to a clay lick to see macaws cluster for their morning feeding ritual in a vibrant burst of colour.

The Sacred valley of the Incas, just an hour's drive out of Cusco following the river Urubamba towards the Amazon, is a fertile plain once known as the breadbasket of the Incas. Highly populated at the apogée of the Inca Empire, it is now a bucolic paradise of fields bulging with cereals and vegetables, dotted with colonial towns and villages, as well as the ruins of imposing Inca temples and fortresses

The pretty village of Pisaq in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas hosts a colourful market 3 times a week, where you can haggle for handcrafted souvenirs and textiles alongside locals bartering for fresh produce. It's also home to an impressive Inca site set high on a hillside spur overlooking the town. Jutting out between two gorges, the large complex consists of temples, observatories and grain stores. Ollantaytambo sits at a strategic point where the river begins its descent to the Amazon jungle. The village has squat colonial houses with Inca foundations and quaint lanes and squares. Most tours visit both.

Housing one of the finest collections of pre-Columbian artefacts in all South America, Lima's Larco Herrera Museum is a must for anyone with even a passing interest in ancient civilisations.

Organised by culture – from Moche through Sicán to Chimú – the impressive range of ceramics, textiles and metalwork illustrates Peru's development through the ages. To give an even more vivid image of life in the ancient world, you'll see mummies displayed with their well-preserved clothing and funeral items, as well as an unusual erotic collection.

If you plan to visit historical and archaeological sites during your stay in Peru, we highly recommend visiting the museum beforehand to contextualise and enrich your experience.

This is the moment almost all visitors to Peru have come for: the chance to finally see the legendary Lost City of the Incas for yourself.

Perched on a remote mountain pedestal and shrouded by neighbouring Andean peaks, the secluded citadel of Machu Picchu was never found by the Spanish invaders and escaped plundering, making it the most complete and intact Inca site in existence.

To do Machu Picchu justice we think it is well worth exploring with a guide who can put the ruins into their historical context and explain the many different theories which surround them. This is a sprawling ancient site with much to see and discover, from rock-hewn temples and the famous sun dial to distinctive Inca terraces and dwellings. Wandering through well-preserved streets, it's easy to imagine the ancient day-to-day life your guide will vividly describe.

Even if Machu Picchu was not lying at the end of the tracks, resplendent on its mountain pedestal, this train journey would doubtless still be an attraction in its own right. It traverses one of the continent’s most scenic sections of rail, where each of the panoramas that glide past your window seems even more spectacular than the last.

At first you’ll look out over a serene rural tableau, passing a patchwork of fields studded by whitewashed adobe villages. Soon however the valley narrows into a dramatic gorge, carved by the tumultuous Urubamba river that gushes alongside the railway track. Bottle-green mountains and cliffs clad in dense vegetation accompany the final stretch to Machu Picchu village (formerly Aguas Calientes), where a zigzagging bus journey transports you up to the mountaintop Inca citadel.

For a real treat, upgrade to the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to arrive at Machu Picchu in ultimate style and comfort. Harking back to the golden age of rail travel, the carriages are sumptuously kitted out and two dining cars serve up an outstanding gastronomic experience.

You can venture to the heart of the jungle without sacrificing your own creature comforts: there is now a choice of stylish Amazon expedition vessels, all based on the traditional design of an Amazon riverboat. The MVs Aria, Delphin I,II and III bring more than a touch of luxury to the Amazonian experience, with gourmet dining, elegant indoor spaces and a beautiful polished wood observation decks from which to breathe in the sights and sounds of the rainforest. For the pièce de résistance, panoramic windows in every cabin provide you with a private view of the ever-changing panorama outside. The new addition to the choice of ships is La Perla, a mid-range vessel which also offers the traditional riverboat experience and explorations of some of the most stunning Amazonian jungle locations but at a more economical price. Cruises last 4-7 days.

There are also carefully designed programmes of daily excursions to take you deeper into the jungle, accompanied by expert guides who can point out wildlife and share their illuminating knowledge. As you follow the winding route to and from Iquitos, you can spot pink river dolphins, monkeys at play and huge crowds of caiman, as well as encountering Amazonian communities and trying your hand at piranha fishing.

Uncompromisingly contemporary, the highly regarded establishment oozes opulence and the staff and service are just as impressive. Accommodation is in suites with their own private sitting areas, each large and smartly furnished with expansive views either over the sea or the pleasant residential and commercial district of Miraflores.

The hotel has many disarming features – the rain shower in the marble bathrooms (junior suites have their own saunas or Roman bath), an infinity swimming pool and spa on the dizzy heights of the 11th floor, and a choice of ornate dining rooms. There is even a Bath Butler who may be contracted to cater for your relaxation!

The hotel's well regarded restaurant, Mesa 18, serves exciting fusions of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine, and has received numerous accolades from international food critics.

Relive the rarefied atmosphere of the colonial era with modern luxury refinements in this converted monastery in the heart of old Cusco. You can’t ignore the strong presence of history here – Gregorian chanting is piped through the cloisters and Catholic art looms from the stone walls – but nor would you want to: the place is totally captivating.

Operated by Belmond (formerly known as Orient Express - the owner is the same only the name has changed), the levels of service at Belmond Hotel Monasterio are characteristically high and the rooms are decorated in distinctive style with remarkable attention to detail. Each is different in size and shape owing to the building's former role – some were once monks' cells, others spaces dedicated to religious devotion. Many have a state-of-the-art oxygen enrichment system to reduce the effects of altitude.

The building centres around a stunning cloistered courtyard, where a serene garden and shaded seating invite relaxation and contemplation. There’s also a series of smaller courtyards to wander around and a magnificent stone-arched restaurant serving inventive gourmet cuisine. Don't miss the chance to look around the chapel with its ornate wooden carvings and gold filigree.

It’s taken years of meticulous restoration but now the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas (owned by Belmond, formerly known as Orient Express) is opening its huge wooden doors to guests. The hotel is conveniently close to Cusco's central square but also next to the arty quarter of San Blas.

Formerly a 16th century convent, this luxurious hotel retains all the atmosphere of its colonial past, along with subtle manifestations of contemporary comforts and technology. No expense has been spared on its sumptuous furnishings but the décor is not excessively elaborate: there’s a real homely feel to the place.

There are 55 suites, beautifully appointed with wrought-iron bedsteads and polished wooden floors. In addition to the usual full range of amenities, you’ll find a stereo sound system, pre-loaded iPad, espresso machine, and underfloor heating in the bathroom. On request, all guestrooms can even be suffused with oxygen to combat the effects of altitude.

There are excellent facilities lodged within the seven cloistered terraces, including Cusco’s first outdoor heated swimming pool, a lounge in the former chapel, a boutique and a business centre. The patios are landscaped with flowers and herbs watered by fountains and Inca-style stone channels.

The attractive boutique Belmond Rio Sagrado is located in the heart of the picturesque Sacred Valley, 4km outside Urubamba on the way to Ollantaytambo. It sits beside the banks of the Urubamba River and has an atmosphere of undisturbed tranquillity.

Accommodation is in terracotta-hued tiled bungalows; standard rooms have a balcony and superiors are larger with a small private garden. Inside they are very stylishly decorated, with local artwork and textiles adding warmth to the sleek contemporary layout, and all have under-floor heating and spacious bathrooms with rain showers. There are also two cottages ideal for families, each with three en suite bedrooms and a living area and kitchen.

The garden is shaded by trees and parasols while comfortable deck chairs make the most of the views. Facilities include a restaurant with an adjacent bar, a massage room, a sauna and a Jacuzzi.

Of the few luxury cruises on the Amazon river, Aria Amazon provides one of the most stylish. Spot wildlife in the rainforest from a comfortable vantage point on the water accompanied by experienced naturalists, becoming acquainted with the diversity of bird, animal and plant life in this most exuberant and undisturbed ecosystem.

The relaxed voyages follow the Amazon's vast main channel, and from their expeditions by launch, they penetrate small estuaries in the rainforest and Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

With 16 large luxury suites, each with panoramic windows and their own sitting rooms, Aria Amazon is fully air-conditioned and adheres to the standards of a first class hotel. Gourmet meals are created from a portfolio of Peruvian and international dishes. There is also a stylish bar, observation deck and outdoor lounge.

Special departure with Aria Amazon Executive Chef and owner of Malabar and ámaZ, ranked in "Latin America's 50 Best Restaurant", Pedro Miguel Schiaffino: 18-22 March 2019 and 18-22 November 2019.

This small, exclusive Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, now belonging to the prestigious Belmond hotel portfolio (formerly Orient Express), is situated right at the entrance to Machu Picchu. It is the only hotel within walking distance of the ruins.

You can enjoy the sight of the distinctive mountain Huayna Picchu crowning the landscape from several points in the hotel, including from the serene private terraces of some of the bedrooms – an ideal spot for breakfast.

However the location is far from Sanctuary Lodge’s only asset: this is a modern, stylishly designed property where attention to detail, ecological awareness and comfort have been thoughtfully combined. You are instantly drawn to the dramatic views as the minimalist décor and natural colours deliberately offer little distraction from the outstanding surroundings.

Speak to an expert Travel Consultant or send us your enquiry today.

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We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.